The Unsinkable Step: Day 1 of Joy
Fix your eyes on Him.
He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
—Matthew 14:29-30 CSB
There is a specific kind of joy that can only be found outside the boat. But we have to be careful not to mistake Peter’s action for the source of his power. Peter didn’t walk on water because he was a “good” or “obedient” disciple; he walked on water because he had faith in the Person standing on it. This is the core of the unsinkable life: Joy is a byproduct of faith in Jesus.
When Jesus said “Come,” Peter’s joy didn’t come from his own ability to climb over the side of the boat. It came from the conviction that Jesus was exactly who He said He was. Faith is the anchor that allows us to be carefree in the middle of a storm. When we believe in His promise of everlasting life, the “wind and waves” of this temporary life lose their ability to stifle our hope.
Obedience is simply faith in motion. We don’t obey to get joy; we obey because we already have the joy of knowing we are secure in Him.
When Peter’s faith wavered and he began to look at the wind, he started to sink. But notice something important: Jesus didn’t wait for Peter to “obey” his way back to the surface. He reached down and caught him. Our joy remains unsinkable because it is guarded by His faithfulness, not our performance.
The 90/10 Rule of the Waves
If life is 10% what happens and 90% how we respond, Peter’s walk is the ultimate case study.
The 10%: The wind was objectively strong. The waves were objectively high.
The 90%: As long as Peter’s response was “Jesus is here,” he walked. When his response became “The wind is here,” he sank.
Your joy today is a decision of focus. Will you look at the 10% of your circumstances that feel stifling, or will you let your faith be the 90% that determines your response to the 10% of the storm.
If you’d like to read more about the “90/10 Rule,” read the article below on attitude.
What is your “boat” today? What are you holding onto for safety that is actually keeping you from experiencing the joy of walking with Jesus? Today, practice “immediate” prayer. The moment a wave of worry hits, immediately cry out, “Lord, save me,” or something similar, and visualize His hand catching yours.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the Anchor that keeps me unsinkable. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and follow Your command, even when the wind is howling. When I lose my focus and start to sink, thank You for Your immediate grace that catches me every time. I choose to find my joy in Your presence today. Amen.